I think Bulls is the best trading partner for us, they desperately need a point guard, last year even without Rose and they had three guards still weren't enough during the playoffs. Even they did sign DG Augstine still don't solve the problem. From the Raptors side the most appealing assets from the Bulls are their two first round picks. I am for sure the Bulls are hesitant to give up their picks (who knows maybe Masai is asking for all their two picks). Well, Lowry will for certain help Bulls' team, and he is better than Hinrich and Teague. I just want to make a note here, that John Salmons used to play for the Bulls and was a solid contributor, and a great defender on the wing, maybe now we can have more chips to the bargain. Again, I think Masai is asking for two first round picks, and Bulls are reluctant to give up, but Lowry seems like the point guard that's on the market and it's last year of his contract perfect scenario for the Bulls, I guess Bulls are evaluating the Bobcats, since one of their pick was from Bobcats, if Bobcat finished at 12-15th seed, before the trade deadline, it's very possible we see Lowry+Salmons+maybe novek for Bulls' one of their first round pick or maybe two, remember it's bulls'side that desperately need a point guard and knocking raptors' door.

And lastly, I will not be shocked if Raptors traded both Lowry and Vasquez for Bulls' Picks

Realistically the Raptors have some pieces that might make Chicago a better team this year while also taking them out of the luxury tax... which is a huge concern for the Bulls and the revenue sharing that goes along with it.

The issue with the Raptors is the hard cap of $75.75M and the Bulls are actually $7.5M over the luxury tax.

* Hansborough or Novak could also be included (as of Dec.15), if Chicago has interest in either of them

Chicago
- get a PG to replace Rose, on an expiring contract (S&T asset in the offseason, or could be re-signed to replace Hinrich as Rose's backup)
- get a PF to replace Boozer
- save $2.6M this season (pro-rated)
- save $9.8M next season (assuming they pickup Johnson's team option)
- add a 2nd round pick
- would get a $2.6M TPE

Realistically the Raptors have some pieces that might make Chicago a better team this year while also taking them out of the luxury tax... which is a huge concern for the Bulls and the revenue sharing that goes along with it.

The issue with the Raptors is the hard cap of $75.75M and the Bulls are actually $7.5M over the luxury tax.

Draft night Raps have own pick, Charlotte top 10 protected, and the better of BKN/ATL with enough financial flexibility to be a dumping ground for more prospects or picks.

This is what I would do, trade Fields and Ross to Charlotte for Ben Gordon(his contract), and then flip Gordon to Bulls and lowry, Salmons others for Bulls picks and Boozer, help them to dump contracts. Makes sense for Bobcats, they are actually doing pretty well, and what they lack is depth and more talent, we give them Fields which they don't have any good wing or defenders, their MKG is injured, and Ross for their expired Ben Gordon. Bulls would love to have Gordon, and Salmon back plus with lowry and dumping Boozer's contract and we get their first round picks. We get our wing player from draft and we also need a point guard too. In order to get Bulls' two picks it would have to be overwhelming offers.

Realistically the Raptors have some pieces that might make Chicago a better team this year while also taking them out of the luxury tax... which is a huge concern for the Bulls and the revenue sharing that goes along with it.

The issue with the Raptors is the hard cap of $75.75M and the Bulls are actually $7.5M over the luxury tax.

Draft night Raps have own pick, Charlotte top 10 protected, and the better of BKN/ATL with enough financial flexibility to be a dumping ground for more prospects or picks.

No way in hell Atlanta does that deal. Everyone is Atlanta still has a serious boner over Schroeder. They sent him to the D-League so he could get more minutes and develop, not because they don't want/value him. He's only 19 and only played in Germany, so his experience is limited.
Also, no way in hell they give Lou Williams, John Jenkins, and a barely protected 2014 first for Demar. That trade would basically slightly improve their starting SG while gutting their SG depth. Plus they have to throw in a 1st which makes it super unlikely. Danny Ferry is no dummy, he has been trying to acquire draft picks, not trade them.
Amir is better than Brand and Scott but he has a longer contract and we're talking about a bench spot of roughly 10 minutes a night (Brand and Scotts minutes). Amir would be playing behind Horford and Milsap, and Atlanta has Ayon at backup C.
So really really doesn't make any sense for Atlanta. I think they're planning on moving Millsap for some picks / future assets. They definitely won't be selling the farm to get some spare parts from Toronto.

I also think there is no way in hell Chicago gives up 2 picks just to be rid of Boozer. If they're giving up a pick it will be to become better, and if they deal Boozer they will become worse. We might get a pick out of Chicago somehow but no way we're getting their two 2014 first round picks just for taking on an overpaid but still very productive player.

I think Chicago is a good trade partner since they have need for PG, but I don't sense any urgency from the Bulls (more like the season is lost because of Rose). I wouldn't be surprised to see them stand pat and hope for 2 great rookies to pair with Rose next year when he is once again back from injury.

No way in hell Atlanta does that deal. Everyone is Atlanta still has a serious boner over Schroeder. They sent him to the D-League so he could get more minutes and develop, not because they don't want/value him. He's only 19 and only played in Germany, so his experience is limited.
Also, no way in hell they give Lou Williams, John Jenkins, and a barely protected 2014 first for Demar. That trade would basically slightly improve their starting SG while gutting their SG depth. Plus they have to throw in a 1st which makes it super unlikely. Danny Ferry is no dummy, he has been trying to acquire draft picks, not trade them.
Amir is better than Brand and Scott but he has a longer contract and we're talking about a bench spot of roughly 10 minutes a night (Brand and Scotts minutes). Amir would be playing behind Horford and Milsap, and Atlanta has Ayon at backup C.
So really really doesn't make any sense for Atlanta. I think they're planning on moving Millsap for some picks / future assets. They definitely won't be selling the farm to get some spare parts from Toronto.

I also think there is no way in hell Chicago gives up 2 picks just to be rid of Boozer. If they're giving up a pick it will be to become better, and if they deal Boozer they will become worse. We might get a pick out of Chicago somehow but no way we're getting their two 2014 first round picks just for taking on an overpaid but still very productive player.

I think Chicago is a good trade partner since they have need for PG, but I don't sense any urgency from the Bulls (more like the season is lost because of Rose). I wouldn't be surprised to see them stand pat and hope for 2 great rookies to pair with Rose next year when he is once again back from injury.

Schroeder is 20.
Well aware why he was sent down.

Vasquez makes Atlanta much better right now which is what the deal is all about.
I don't think he pisses away another year of Horford's prime.
If the deal doesn't work out, he has Horford as a trade chip in a year.
Horford will return prospects and picks.

Williams still can't play back to backs and is not looking like himself albeit still early.
Jenkins is in D-League and has regressed majorly this season.
Disagree that DD's addition hurts their depth when you have a rotation of Vasquez, Carroll, Martin, Korver all capable of playing SG and the two players killing the depth are either in DLeague or incapable of playing back-to-backs.

Brand and Scott are nowhere near Amir's abilities and contributions.
Amir's contract is just one more season and very reasonable.
A nice 4 headed snake of Horford, Millsap, Amir, and Ayon.

Danny Ferry has been keeping his options open and being opportunistic.
DeRozan/Korver pairing would be incredible.
DeRozan is 24 and they'd have him locked up for 3 years.

I never said Chicago would give up 2 picks.
1 pick to save $30+M and create all sorts of flexibility for them.
I also had Toronto's or Sacramento's 2nd round pick going to Chicago (low 30's)

I think Boozer would be extremely hard to flip again. I'm not sure if MU would be willing to take on $16.8M in salary for one player next season since he didn't want to do the same thing for Gay potentially.

I don't know if MU would be willing to take that much salary on for extra picks when he just made a transaction to free up cap space for next season.

I would do the trade.. just not sure if MU would even consider it if it was made available.

It's not just that he didn't want Gay's contract. He didn't want the uncertainty of Gay's contract. He can plan around boozer's contract. Gay was too much of a variable.

I think Lowry is a better fit as well if they want to make some noise but CHI are notorious/wise for not being hasty. They can wait to see how DJ works before eg. looking seriously at Lowry. One of the best motivators for them doing a deal as mentioned in above posts is the savings on taxes by replacing Boozer. They prefer their bottom line not being red.

Vasquez makes Atlanta much better right now which is what the deal is all about.
I don't think he pisses away another year of Horford's prime.
If the deal doesn't work out, he has Horford as a trade chip in a year.
Horford will return prospects and picks.

Williams still can't play back to backs and is not looking like himself albeit still early.
Jenkins is in D-League and has regressed majorly this season.
Disagree that DD's addition hurts their depth when you have a rotation of Vasquez, Carroll, Martin, Korver all capable of playing SG and the two players killing the depth are either in DLeague or incapable of playing back-to-backs.

Brand and Scott are nowhere near Amir's abilities and contributions.
Amir's contract is just one more season and very reasonable.
A nice 4 headed snake of Horford, Millsap, Amir, and Ayon.

Danny Ferry has been keeping his options open and being opportunistic.
DeRozan/Korver pairing would be incredible.
DeRozan is 24 and they'd have him locked up for 3 years.

I never said Chicago would give up 2 picks.
1 pick to save $30+M and create all sorts of flexibility for them.
I also had Toronto's or Sacramento's 2nd round pick going to Chicago (low 30's)

I'm not sure how this trade would prevent them from pissing away another year of Horford's prime (if that's what going to the playoffs every year is). They'd still be the 3rd best team in the East with no shot of beating the top two. They don't have a center to anchor the defense and Miami and Indiana will eat them alive in the playoffs (if another team doesn't first), regardless of Derozan being there or not.

I'm pretty sure Atlanta is planning for the future (hence 2 project draft picks last draft), but they don't need to be terrible in the meantime. Horford is only 27 and his game isn't predicated on explosiveness so he still has a lot of good years left. Teague is signed to a good long term contract. They don't need to go for it all this year and realistically shouldn't. Basically, sounds like you see Atlanta as buyers this year, but I don't see it.

If they traded for Derozan I'm sure you could get Williams, Jenkins, and a future first (not 2014), but is that really worth it for Derozan? I'd rather just keep him.

Lowry is having a career year. Shouldn't we try to resign him for a decent contract before trying to trade him? I mean realistically MU, can't actually trott out Buycks as our starting pg in the name of tanking and expect to sell any tix can he? Lowry would be a great player to keep at a value contract.

Lowry is having a career year. Shouldn't we try to resign him for a decent contract before trying to trade him? I mean realistically MU, can't actually trott out Buycks as our starting pg in the name of tanking and expect to sell any tix can he? Lowry would be a great player to keep at a value contract.

I don't see Lowry re-signing for less than $10M at the moment, given that he's making $6.2M currently. I wouldn't be surprised if Lowry would prefer to test the market before agreeing to any sort of bargain contract. Plus, given that Gay was just traded, we have no idea if Lowry even wants to remain in Toronto beyond this season.